Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is a wastewater treatment configuration applied to activated sludge systems for the removal of phosphate. It is based on the cultivation of special polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO) in the anaerobic tank prior to the aeration tank. These bacteria accumulate large quantities of polyphosphate within their cells resulting in the accumulation of phosphorus in the biomass. The biomass is separated from the treated water at the end of the process and the phosphorus is thus removed.